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2024 MountainTrue Nolichucky BioBlitz in Erwin, TN
June 1 @ 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
SAVE THE DATE! Each year, MountainTrue hosts a BioBlitz to record all the species we can find in a given area. We identify and catalog organisms using the online app iNaturalist. The BioBiltz this year will be on June 1st in Erwin, TN. There will be two options: a water-based adventure with a fee AND a land-based adventure that is FREE. Read on below for more information.
Come soak up the beauty of the Nolichucky River in Erwin, TN as we collect data to help support a Wild & Scenic Designation for this special place. This year’s BioBlitz will be based out of the USA Raft Adventure Resort. https://www.usaraft.com/
USA Raft has generously donated their facilities plus six guided rafts to take biophiles of all types down the Nolichucky Gorge, the deepest gorge in the Eastern U.S. and one of the best whitewater runs in the Appalachians. For just $120, you can have a full day adventure with lunch provided in a guided raft surrounded by experts in birds, vascular and nonvascular plants, insects, mammals, mushrooms and more. Rafts will stop at biological hotspots in the seldom explored Nolichucky Gorge. Participants may see rarities like hellbenders, piratebush, Virginia spirea, bleeding heart, ospreys, and eagles.
For land lovers, other groups will hike with experts in salamanders, mammals, plants, and mushrooms. One of our land based groups will spend the morning hiking and the afternoon snorkeling in the river, weather permitting. There is no ticket fee for the land-based BioBlitz. (No lunch is provided for land adventurers).
*Group sign-ups are taken at the event and are first come, first serve. Group availability is subject to change.
Be sure to bring camp chairs and a change of dry clothes to share stories around the campfire from 4:30 p.m. on. Food and drink are available on site from the Take-out tavern, and there is usually live music on Saturday afternoons.
**Kids 10 years and older are welcome to join the water-based day if they are accompanied by a parent/guardian for the duration of the trip.
**Kids aged 6 and up are welcome to join the land-based day if they are accompanied by a parent/guardian for the duration of the trip.
Meet-up location for both water-based and land-based events: USA Raft in Erwin, TN at 9 am with our investigating and documenting wrapping up around 4:30 pm.
